When you submit an application for employment or leave a resume with a company, you may or may not be told when a hiring decision will be made. Following up on the status of the opening a week or two after applying will let the employer know you’re still interested and available. Touching base in a professional manner also lets you emphasize your interest and enthusiasm for the position.

When to Contact

Most companies request approximately two weeks time to advertise the job, collect applications and review them before narrowing the pool of applicants who will be called in for personal interviews. Wait the standard length of time before making your call, unless the position is advertised as something that must be filled immediately. If this is the case, you can reasonably call to check on the status of your application within a week of applying.

Call the Right Person

If you put your application to the attention of a particular person in the organization, this is the individual to follow up with. If you submitted an application to the company's website or left it with a front desk receptionist, call the main number and ask who is responsible for making hiring decisions. The company might have a hiring manager or a human resources department. If it's a small business, the department manager or even business owner may be the decision maker. If in doubt, ask the receptionist. For example, “I'm calling to follow up on a job application I submitted two weeks ago. Could you tell me the name of the individual who is responsible for making that hiring decision?”

Introduce Yourself

Prepare a short pitch for the hiring manager that details who you are, what you're applying for and touches on anything memorable that may stand out on your application. This approach makes you look professional and organized and it makes it easier for the hiring manager to recall you or access your application. For example, “Hi, this is Susan Smith. I submitted an application for your office manager position two weeks ago, and I'm calling to follow up on the status of the job. You may remember the pale pink resume stationary I used as an attachment to my application.”

Sell Yourself

If the hiring manager tells you the position has been filled, thank her for her time and ask that your application be kept on file for future reference. If the position is still open, use the call as an opportunity to sell yourself. For example, “I’m happy to hear the position is still open. As I'm sure you saw my application, I have 10 years experience in office management and I believe you would find me to be a highly organized individual with superior time management skills. I’d love the opportunity to meet with you in person and discuss how I can benefit your organization.”